Proverbs 13:18-19 “The one who neglects discipline ends up in poverty and shame, but the one who accepts reproof is honored. A desire fulfilled will be sweet to the soul, but fools abhor turning away from evil.”

If you accept advice and instruction you are much more likely to end up with a life that is honored and blessed. If you don’t, you’re going to end up in trouble!

The first part of verse 19 repeats the same thought we read in 13:12: “a longing fulfilled is like a tree of life.” But why is it coupled with “fools abhor turning away from evil” here? I think that the best understanding is that the righteous desire what is good, and the blessing that follows is “sweet to the soul.” A fool won’t listen, won’t follow, won’t turn away from evil, and will never experience that sweetness. In fact, a fool is so warped in their thinking that they actually abhor turning away from evil. What an indictment!

Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the LORD is good. How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him.”